Archive for April, 2011

Two concerned members of the public have offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to a prosecution in the Motherwell peregrine poisoning incident that took place in February.

Two peregrines were killed after being poisoned with the highly toxic (and illegal) chemical strychnine, and their bodies were discovered just yards from a primary school in Motherwell. See blog post 16 March 2011 for details.

The Scottish SPCA, leading the investigation, have been unable to trace the person responsible, and it is hoped the reward will now act as an incentive for someone to come forward with new information.

Gamekeeper Andrew Malcom Slaughter from Inverinate Estate, Lochalsh, is facing charges under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and the Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948. He did not attend his court hearing yesterday at Inverness Sheriff Court and he did not enter a plea. His case has been adjourned until 28 April 2011, back at Inverness Sheriff Court.

See blog entry 23 March 2011 for background to this case.

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Surprise surprise! The Moy Estate case has been adjourned for a second time. Gamekeepers Wayne Grant and James Roderick Rolfe, facing charges under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, did not attend the court hearing yesterday at Inverness Sheriff Court, and no plea was entered. Their case has been adjourned until 5 May 2011, again at Inverness Sheriff Court.

For background reading to this case, see blog posts 3 June 2010, 4 June 2010 and 23 March 2011.

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Tayside Police have released a statement about the raid on a Scottish sporting estate that took place yesterday, following the discovery three weeks ago of two poisoned buzzards and poisoned bait. A 62 year old man was taken in for questioning but has been released pending further enquiries.

Police have raided a well-known sporting estate in Scotland and at least one man has been questioned at the police station. Further details cannot be reported just now but will be publicised in due course. Let’s just say this estate is no stranger to allegations of raptor persecution…let’s hope justice is finally served.

A recent spate of poisoning has been reported at Fullarton Woods, Troon, Ayrshire over the last month, apparently resulting in the death of one dog, one fox and possibly two buzzards. A second dog was poisoned but survived. Strathclyde Police are reported to have launched an investigation.

The first incident was reported in the Troon Times on 1 March 2011 and the Ayrshire Birding Forum on 2 March 2011. Rabbit baits laced with poison were discovered in Fullarton Woods on the Fullarton Estate (this is not a sporting estate – it is a public amenity run by South Ayrshire Council that includes a play-park for children). A local resident’s dog was poisoned but made a recovery. Two dead buzzards were apparently discovered, although it has not been confirmed if they had been poisoned.

Nicholas Parker, head gamekeeper at Holkham Estate, Norfolk, was due at Norwich Magistrate’s Court today relating to charges against him for alleged wildlife crime and firearms offences. His case has been adjourned for the third time and is now due to be heard on 4 May 2011.

This case was originally due to be heard at King’s Lynn Magistrate’s Court on 9 February 2011. This was delayed until 2 March 2011. The case was then moved to Norwich Magistrate’s Court, due to be heard 1 April 2011.